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Episode 1: Godfather of London

Summary

Documentary about criminals in Britain during the Second World War, beginning with how London gangster William Charles Hill made his mark on the Black Market

Review

In the first of a new series about Second World War criminals, there are echoes of Peaky Blinders in its profile of Billy Hill, a London gangster who took advantage of the Blitz to create a criminal empire.

Hill grew up in a family of ne’er-do-wells, but he set his mind on extending from petty thievery and smash-and-grabs to grand-scale wrongdoing. The blackout and the internment of “alien” Italians, some of whom had run everything from racing protection rackets to Soho drinking dens, proved extremely convenient to his plans. A smart, if violent, operator, who thrived despite stints inside, Hill is a fascinating character, and this is a well put-together doc, with some great archive footage and lively contributors.

Details

Languages
English
Formats
Colour

Credits

Cast

rolename
NarratorMike Bodie

Crew

rolename
DirectorElio Espana
ProducerTom O'Dell
ComposerChris Ingham

All episodes

  • Summary

    Documentary about criminals in Britain during the Second World War, beginning with how London gangster William Charles Hill made his mark on the Black Market

    Review

    In the first of a new series about Second World War criminals, there are echoes of Peaky Blinders in its profile of Billy Hill, a London gangster who took advantage of the Blitz to create a criminal empire.

    Hill grew up in a family of ne’er-do-wells, but he set his mind on extending from petty thievery and smash-and-grabs to grand-scale wrongdoing. The blackout and the internment of “alien” Italians, some of whom had run everything from racing protection rackets to Soho drinking dens, proved extremely convenient to his plans. A smart, if violent, operator, who thrived despite stints inside, Hill is a fascinating character, and this is a well put-together doc, with some great archive footage and lively contributors.

    Details

    Languages
    English
    Formats
    Colour

    Credits

    Cast

    rolename
    NarratorMike Bodie

    Crew

    rolename
    DirectorElio Espana
    ProducerTom O'Dell
    ComposerChris Ingham
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